exoskeleton cabaret » abney park

On Pointe With Von Claret

libby — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:18:52 +0000

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind gift and you’d like to assist one of my friends and models in acquiring new and much-needed dance gear in exchange, bid on Finn Von Claret’s autographed ballet shoes:

This auction is for my size 9 autographed Gaynor Minden pointe shoes. These shoes have traveled with me and have been used in every Abney Park show since I was inducted into the band…I have signed both shoes, and now I retire them, and offer them for auction to help with the cost of a new pair. Thanks for all of your support and love!

- Ms. Finn Von Claret, H.M.S. Ophelia

Finn gave me one of her well-loved toe shoes for a shadowbox over which I’ve labored meticulously for months. Mine’s just baby pink, but here’s your chance to score her original Abney Park silver glitter shoes for your own collection.

Many thanks from both of us.

Maker Faire Photos (Finally)

libby — Fri, 23 May 2008 18:28:50 +0000

Three weeks later, in between packing everything I own in cardboard and bubble wrap, I’ve managed to get the finest of my Maker Faire photos uploaded to the web. Some of these appeared two weeks ago on a MAKE blog post, but many are new. Please have a look.

I really can’t adequately explain the experience I had at the event — I think so far the best I’ve come up with is “internet family reunion” and “like Burning Man, minus the illegal drugs and naked people”. It is so inspiring to see such an epic quantity of passionate people displaying the projects and objects over which they’ve slaved. I’m totally brimming with new ideas now.

Abney Park also performed a gig Saturday night of the event, and I shot them again, both on stage and posed on the Neverwas Haul, which I’ve decided to commandeer and go toddling about…or at least covet excessively, because everyone needs a steampunk mansion on wheels.

Many thanks, and see the whole Flickr set here.

The Heather Gold Show / The New York Times

libby — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:00:22 +0000

–or– Good Lord, My Life Is Crazy

This week has quite possibly been the wildest one I’ve had in a while. A few days ago, I was asked to participate in The Heather Gold Show live from the Maker Faire. It will be streamed live from the main stage on this Saturday, May 3 at 4:00pm PDT (watch online at heathergold.com).

The issue we’ll be addressing (for which I’m vaguely responsible) is: How can you be authentic to yourself and part of a (sub)culture?

Through the lens of Steampunk, a meta-subculture that is currently at its tipping point of growth, we explore the inevitable question a subculture faces as it grows from disparate DIY roots. Who and what belongs? Can it transform permaculture?

Conversating with Heather will be computer and car modifier Jake von Slatt, Abney Park singer Captain Robert, yours truly (on behalf of Steampunk Magazine), and the live/web audience. Expect hijinks.

Item Number Two of OMG Insanity is that I learned yesterday that my photography of Seattle artist Molly Porkshanks Friedrich will be featured in the New York Times in a week or so as part of her interview. I’m not yet certain which image will be featured but it will be one from this set, which we shot last fall. I will post more details when the article is published.

Call this my 4.23 seconds of fame. Um, squee.